Heterosexism Homosexuality and People - 1174 Words

Heterosexism is a term used to describe people who discriminate against gays and lesbians. Throughout history, an intimate relationship between members of the opposite sex was considered the norm, and breaking this norm would make a person deviant. From birth, children are taught certain characteristics on how boys and girls are suppose to behave. Children learn these things from their parents, the schools they attend, and society that they live in. The characteristics that they learn shapes them into what they become when they’re adults. According to Barrie Thorne, â€Å"the sociological significance of children’s play is that boys and girls are helping to socialize one another into primary adult gender roles, girls being more concerned with†¦show more content†¦According to Shaun Pichler, â€Å"when an applicant’s gender or gendered characteristics are inconsistent with that of the gender type of job itself, the candidate will be perceived as a poo r fit for the job† (pg. 2530). He also states that employees who are found to be homosexual are more than likely to be unfairly terminated over a person that is heterosexual. To add to that, gay and lesbians were once banned from being able to serve in the military, but that ban was overturned just recently. In addition to the hostility and embarrassment that homosexuals face every day, they also encounter political and legal policies and practices that prevent them from living a normal life like heterosexual people. For example, there are laws that prevent people of the same gender to be legally married to each other such as proposition eight in California. Gay people just want the right to be able to be happy with a significant other, make a family, and show their loyalty in each other through marriage. There is no difference whether that significant other is of the same gender or opposite, at the end of the day they just want that chance of happiness just like everyone else . Unfortunately, there are laws in places that prevent that from becoming true. Not allowing homosexuals to marry can affect many people’s lives and can even be detrimental to one’s health. For example in the article â€Å"The Case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson: Ableism,Show MoreRelatedRacism : A Social Construct1593 Words   |  7 Pagesmarried lesbian woman. Racism is a social construct that has serious impact on many people’s lives. Heterosexism, also a social construct and racism contribute to the ever widening inequality gap. To slow sown or change the gap growth, policies would have to be imposed that would be specific to gender diversity and equality. Racism is structurally embedded in many institutions, but so does heterosexism as well. They may not be overtly visible, however when one is identified as homosexual, [s]he mayRead MoreIs Heterosexism An Invisible Privilege Associated With Authority And Prestige Label And Stigmatize Individuals And Behaviors That Differ From995 Words   |  4 PagesHeterosexism Heterosexism is the belief that all people are heterosexual, and that heterosexuality is superior and more desirable than homosexuality or bisexuality. Throughout history the term homosexuality has always been associated with negative connotations, such as uncleanliness, criminal behavior, sin or a mental disorder. In fact, homosexuality was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Associations and was not removed asRead MoreThe Reasons behind Homosexual Discrimination1214 Words   |  5 Pagesmore people who â€Å"mind† than heterosexuals. This particular discrimination has been occurring for decades all across the globe; however it became prominent in the United States in the 1950s. In 1953, under President Eisenhower, it was decided that homosexuality was a sufficient enough reason in itself to fire people from federal jobs. This executive order stood from 1953 until 1993, providing support to the idea that d iscrimination in employment ranked as the worst type of persecution gay people facedRead MoreThe Oppression Of Opposite Sex Sexuality And Relationships860 Words   |  4 PagesJournal Heterosexism is the oppression of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. In our society heterosexuals is the normal and those who do not fit into this category are shunned. Throughout history, â€Å"homosexuality and bisexuality have been called many things; from sin, sickness, and crime, to orientation, identity and even a gift from God.† (372). Labels and judgments are justifications for society to marginalize people due to their sexuality. Our society tends to look for ways to justify homosexualityRead MoreThe Causes Of Discrimination Against Homosexuals1677 Words   |  7 Pageschange. However, there is no solid scientific evidence that people are born homosexual† (Worthen, F 2014). â€Å"Along with outside factors in a person s life, his own personal choices have played a key role in forming and shaping his homosexual identity, though few will admit this† (Worthen, F 2014). Homosexuals are just ordinary people who happen to love the same sex. Homosexual discrimination tends to be particularly brutal and nasty. â€Å"Homosexuality was classified as a mental illness in 1973† (AnonymousRead MoreThe Biological Basis Toward Sexual Orientation1406 Words   |  6 Pagestoward sexual orientation. One concept is the neurohormonal theory, biologist contend that homosexuality is caused by abnormal sex hormone levels in utero. The alternative theory is based on behavioral genetics, determining the source and magnitude of genetic impact on sexual orientation. This theory suggested the concept that gay men were genetically female. Later this theory was proven to be false. Homosexuality was considered as a pathology or mental illness. Not every psychologists agreed with thatRead MoreHow Does The Views Of Lgbtiq Change Over Time Across The Globe?1229 Words   |  5 PagesTransgender, Intersex and Queer/ Questioning, which represents the group of people with sexual orientations or gender identities different from the heterosexual or cisgen der majority. The reasons of this anomaly have been explained and accepted by many scientists that it is not a choice but rather a biological and unchangeable feature from birth.[1] The irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals is the definition of homophobia according to the Merriam-WebsterRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On The Lesbian Community1252 Words   |  6 PagesHeterosexism is where one believes that liking or loving the opposite sex is the â€Å"Norm† or being homosexual is not right. Limiting student success can come in multiple forms: heterosexism and homophobia limit student success by promoting social media norms, being discriminatory towards the homosexual community, judging before understanding, and not taking their own path and folding under peer pressure. There is no technical problem with homosexuality except the ones that society createsRead MoreErving Goffmans Work Stigma1441 Words   |  6 PagesThrough analyzation of the narratives and experiences of â€Å"blemished† individuals, Goffman builds theory on stigmatized identities. He also maps the construction of the meanings associated with those discreditable or discredited characteristics. Homosexuality is considered to be a discreditable characteristic, as those possessing the label may attempt to pass as â€Å"normal.† In this paper, I will discuss the role of stigma and shame in the coming out process, and the negative health outcomes that may resultRead MoreEssay on Theorising Heterosexism for Social Work Education1405 Words   |  6 Pagesmany systems is heterosexism. This paper will cover what heterosexism is, the effects of heterosexism, how heterosexism relates to other forms of oppression, and what can be done to stop heterosexism from being perpetuated. Julie Fish (2008) defines heterosexism, in her article, as the dominant standard that everyone is measured up to. Everyone is assumed to be heterosexual unless proven otherwise which then leads to sometimes being labeled as corrupt and of a lower status. Heterosexism is perpetuated